Tracy Morgan expected to stay hospitalized for weeks

Tracy Morgan was critically injured after a tractor-trailer rammed into his limousine bus on the New Jersey Turnpike Saturday, June 7, 2014.

By ABC7.com staff

Monday, June 09, 2014

TRENTON, N.J. (KABC) --

Tracy Morgan is expected to remain hospitalized for several more weeks following a crash in New Jersey that left two others critically injured and one dead.

The 45-year-old comedian and two others remain in critical condition early Monday morning.

A Wal-Mart truck driver is facing charges after authorities say he apparently dozed off at the wheel. Kevin Roper's big rig smashed into the back of Morgan's limo bus on the New Jersey Turnpike. Police told ABC News that Roper said he had not realized there was a pocket of slow-moving traffic in front of him until it was too late.

Roper has been charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto. He was released after posting $50,000 bail. He is expected to appear in court later this week, possibly on Wednesday.

Lewis Kay, Morgan's spokesman, said the former "30 Rock" star was more responsive following surgery for a broken leg. He also suffered a broken femur, nose and several ribs.

"His family is tremendously overwhelmed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from his fans," Kay said

The driver of the limo bus recalled that Morgan screamed for help after the crash, which happened in northbound lanes at mile marker 71.5 at about 1 a.m. Saturday.

"I climbed around and heard Tracy screaming for help," Tyrone Gale said in a phone interview with "Good Morning America." "I climbed up on the body of the limo bus ... but I couldn't reach them."

Morgan was on his way back to New York after a standup performance at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Delaware when the crash occurred. In all, six vehicles were involved in the pileup, but no one from the other cars was injured.

"I just remember the impact ... We didn't know which way was up, which way was down. I don't know if we flipped several times or one time," Gale said. "I saw the condition of everybody and I knew it would just make it worst if I tried to pull them up and out of the vehicle."